The more than 90 yachts, boats, kayaks and canoes that will grace Newport Harbor's channels for the 105th annual Christmas Boat Parade need a theme, and in what has become a tradition itself, parade organizers are asking the public for some help.

"We had theme ideas come and go, but for the past several years, we've just had the community come up with their best ideas, and we use one of those," said Jeff Parker, vice president at the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce.

Last year, more than 150 theme submissions were sent in, and Parker said 120 have already reached his mailbox this year.

Previous themes used for the parade include last year's "Surf, Sand and Santa," 2007's "Twas the Lights before Christmas," and 2002's patriotic theme, "Celebrating America with Lights."

Boat owners signed up for the parade cater their boat decorations to the theme, with some spending upwards of $50,000 to catch the judges' eyes and spread Christmas cheer.

With the harbor's $10 million Lower Bay dredging project complete, Parker hopes some of the larger, deep-draft boats that might have been concerned with shallow spots along the 14.7-mile parade route will return to participate in the parade.

"Other harbors have parades, but we have boats from all over Southern California come down to be a part Newport's," Park said.

Submissions for this year's parade theme can be sent to entries@christmasboatparade.com, or dropped off at the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce offices at 1470 Jamboree Road, Newport Beach. Entries are due Wednesday, and the winning entry will win a free VIP excursion for two on the official Santa boat for an evening during the parade.

This year's show is scheduled for five nights from Dec. 18 through Dec. 22, starting at 6:30 each night.

Organizers for the 105th annual Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade want the public to come up with the theme of this year's parade. The Current staff thought of a few themselves:

•The Auld Man and the Sea (New Year's and Hemingway collide)

Christmas Chic: Fashionable Santa and his Elves.

How the Wench Stole Christmas

The Grinch that Stole My Dock

Email your own submissions to entries@christmasboatparade.com, or drop them off at the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce offices at 1470 Jamboree Road, Newport Beach.

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